Washington (TDI): General Timothy Haugh, head of the secretive US intelligence body the National Security Agency (NSA), was fired on Thursday after serving just over a year in the role.
Haugh was also serving as head of the US Cyber Command, the Pentagon’s cyber warfare agency which conducts offensive and defensive cyber operations.
His NSA deputy Wendy Noble was also fired and reassigned to another role at the Pentagon, US media reported.
The NSA is the US government’s largest and most secretive signals intelligence agency. The reason for General Timothy Haugh’s removal has not been disclosed.
Haugh, who was appointed in February last year, previously held a string of high-profile government cybersecurity positions, including commander of the elite Cyber National Mission Force.
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Reacting to the news, Democratic Congressman Jim Himes stated he was “deeply disturbed” by Haugh’s removal.
“I have known General Haugh to be an honest and forthright person who followed the law and put national security force,” he said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump has led a major shake-up of the armed forces’ leadership since assuming office in January.
Trump sacked top US military officer General Charles “CQ” Brown in February, offering no explanation for his removal less than two years into his 4-year term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Trump’s administration is presiding over sweeping layoffs of federal workers and moves to dismantle government institutions just months into his second term.
US Cyber Command’s Deputy Commander William J Hartman and NSA executive director Sheila Thomas have been named acting NSA chief and deputy.
